An extra pound

The doctor declared today that Niels is a little piggy, but he meant it in a nice way.

We were a little concerned about weight when we went to the doctor last Friday because he had lost almost 10% of his weight--from 7 lb 14 oz down to 7 lb 2 oz. This is normal, but we were worried that he might lose more because he hadn't been feeding well. But things turned around that night, and now, five days later, he hit 8 lb 1 oz. The doc said he'd never before seen a gain of 3 oz a day for 5 days. He then shook Tara's hand and told her "good work."

Along with fatter cheeks, Niels seems to be more alert today than he has been so far. He's also a touch more fussy, alas.

Anyway, the obligatory picture:

More days go by

A few days later we're settling in to a routine of sorts. Niels is eating well and we are sleeping erratically, but better than I feared (for now). The days go by pretty quickly in a bit of a tired haze, though we've made it out to brunch twice and were entertained by visiting friends yesterday.

Comfort from a mother


An alert burrito


Eyelashes and all


Starting the burping...


Burping turns the baby off


Good night

First Real Day

Our first full day at home as a family was full of non-events. After a quiet morning at home of feeding and napping (or both simultaneously), Niels' big excursion of the day was to the doctor's office. Later on, Niels and I took a long stroll while Tara took a nap.

Excitement at the doctor's office


Excitement taking a walk


All tired out after too much excitement

Going Home

So today we got sprung from the hospital and have made it back home.

After having slept for almost all of his first 36 hours straight, Niels was awake, hungry, and crabby about it all morning in the hospital. Then, when it was time to go he conked out solid and has had barely a look at his new home.

Awake and aware


Perhaps he doesn't want to go home


Aye aye, in the car seat


We made it


But oh, so sleepy

And on the 2nd Day, We Rested

Nothing much to say about the second day of life. Tara rested after a hard day yesterday, and Niels did pretty much nothing but sleep. This full day in the hospital is a grace period of resting and having nurses to help out with details. Tomorrow we'll go home and see just how much trouble we're in.

But really, you readers just want to see some pictures.

Cute and thoughtful:


A familiar hairline to look at:


Confused by all the open space:


Just tongue thrusting, actually

An Illustrated Hospital Story

A short version of the past two days...with pictures.

As the last post said, Tara's doctor wanted to induce labor yesterday and scheduled us to go to the hospital at 7:30 PM. We got bumped off until later, but thankfully we had some old friends--Chris and Heather--around to distract us.


Once we got to CPMC at 9:30 we sat around and waited for an OR to be available so that the induction could happen.


Luck being what it is, there were 6 emergency C-Sections in a row and we waited around until 7 AM before Tara could be induced. Chris and Heather kept the vigil with us and stayed in the hospital all night.

After induction, we waited some more until Tara's body ramped up the labor.


She was a real trooper, and worked harder than I wish to contemplate. At last at 12:27 Niels was born to this world.

The first meeting:




Adjusting to this new world is difficult.


Mom and baby were right tuckered out, and we all took a long nap after this until we were ready to get to know each other a little better.






And now, at the end of the first day of life, it is time to rest.

4cm High and Rising

We're sitting in the hospital in a holding pattern. A week ago we were told that the baby could come "at any time," which put us into a bit of a panic...we were definitely not ready yet. But we kicked into gear, got it done, and then waited for another week. Today Tara saw the doctor again, who decided that the baby should be induced tonight. So after being bumped a few times for more pressing c-sections, we are waiting for the process to be started...probably in about 15 minutes.


In lighter entertainment, a summary of various nicknames that baby has been given by friends and family over the last few months:

Tummy Guy
Squidbilly
Bart
Cousin It (which makes me Uncle Fester)
The Killeboo
Sven
Mr. Gobhi (Hindi for cauliflower)

Pregnancy Progression Pix

A progression of Tara through pregnancy. The first picture is "before." The second picture is "before we knew." We then grow from there.

Ultrasound Menagerie

A selection of ultrasound pictures:

Warm Up

This blog is here to provide updates on our family, now that we have an impending child. It is a generally good way for us to let all of you know what is going on with our baby all at once.

However, I think I'll set the tone with a nice picture from our wedding in October 2003.